Mark & Damien of DesignOffice

“We love the problem-solving side of design. Regardless of scale and typology, it’s about an approach.”

– Mark Simpson, DesignOffice.

“Being able to mix your passion and profession is a rare privilege and one we don’t take for granted.”

– Damien Mulvihill, DesignOffice.

With three cafes in close proximity to Congress, Milieu wanted to resonate with evening dwellers for both experience and comfort. A variety of convivial seating types encourage work and play from late afternoon onwards. Aimed at ensuring guests make the most of their purpose for visiting, Mark and Damien manipulated lighting to make some areas more conducive to different changes of pace over others.

Initially appointed to design the 36 interiors of Peel, DesignOffice was commissioned by Milieu for their first urban new-build project, Hertford Street Townhouses, a landmark for their portfolio in terms of inner city development. The longevity and variety of work with Milieu illustrates DesignOffice’s breadth and also their commitment to ongoing relationships with clients, working across projects of varying scale. Understanding and at times re-defining a client’s brand identity, Mark and Damien work to ensure that a client’s desired outcome for a project continues to align with a client’s bigger brand story, especially if it is the first model of many to be rolled out.

Stemming from Damien’s work on Liberty London, Mark’s experience in creating Canteen UK and in their roles at Universal Design Studio and Allies and Morrison, Mark and Damien believe that it is the years they spent working within large architectural firms that allowed them to establish DesignOffice differently. “Our interest in the nuance of space has allowed us to work with both multi-national corporations and small boutique businesses and establish DesignOffice to be comfortable taking on both. The experience of living in other countries, and a shared passion for travel means that we are continually absorbing influences in all aspects of life. There is something about being in different environments that allows you to really think about the spaces we design and why.”

Keeping a purposely small studio of 10 to 12 people, Mark and Damien value the quality of work and culture that is often a by-product of people collaborating and being involved on each project. “We try not to separate architects and designers or create silos of design typologies. Everyone works at one big desk and it’s very much a collaborative, relaxed environment where we can share knowledge and problem solve. We value nimbleness, lack of ego and the willingness of the team to do the very best they can.”